EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES

Mr ODENWALDER (Little Para) (15:13): My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Development.

Mr Pengilly: You won't get an answer.

Mr ODENWALDER: I will try. Can the minister inform the house about the latest developments in the provision of early childhood services in the northern suburbs?

Ms Chapman: The northern suburbs?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development) (15:13): The member for Bragg probably has not experienced the northern suburbs. As the name suggests, they are to the north of the city, and we would invite her to drive through them from time to time—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —and acquaint herself—

Mr Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Morialta!

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —with the constituents of the northern suburbs. I certainly spend a lot of time there, and I thank the honourable member for his question because what he is concerned about and understands is that the key to unlocking opportunities for our citizens is the investments that we make in the early years. We know the importance of the early years in terms of the development of our children. In particular, the first few years of life have a major effect on not only the learning but also the health trajectory of all our young people.

Things such as health and safety, their family's health, the environment they live in and the opportunities they have for learning and play are all part of this mosaic that makes up a child's development. Importantly, experiences in these early years have a profound effect not only on the individual child but the prosperity of our community and the productivity of our community is profoundly affected by our investments in the early years. That is why the investments that we are making, in particular to help families with young children get the best possible start, are receiving such broad support.

I was very proud to open the Early Years Learning Centre at Elizabeth North Primary School last Tuesday morning. For members who do not know, Elizabeth North is a fantastic school, with a vibrant community of interested parents and teachers. It recently was redeveloped as part of the successful Education Works program. An extra $1.8 million of investment was provided to create an early years learning centre which was built at the new site. The Early Years Learning Centre brings together preschool and childcare onto the one site, which is great for parents. Obviously it means that they do not have to drop children off at different sites. It also means that the transition a young person experiences between child care, preschool and school is so much easier, which is good for the young person as they seek to navigate their world.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Elizabeth North community for inviting me into their community and sharing with me their incredible enthusiasm for these new facilities. It was great to see the number of young parents who were there and who have made this early learning centre something of a community hub. I am pleased to see that the budget has provided for another 10 additional children centres, which will continue this important work and investment in the early years.